January trial set for two charged in Lewis County baby's death

WESTON, W.Va. -- A January trial is set for two people charged in the death of a 15-month-old boy in Lewis County.

Twenty-five-year-old Christopher Thomas Sheppard of Hepzibah in Harrison County is charged with child abuse resulting in death. The child's mother, 30-year-old Julia Mick, is charged with child neglect resulting in death.

Investigators say Sheppard was baby-sitting at a Jane Lew apartment and left Mick's son, Rex Mick, unattended in a bath. The boy fell out of the sink, landed on his head and later died.

The Exponent Telegram reports that Sheppard and Mick's trial is set to begin Jan. 21, 2014.

Randolph County prosecutor Michael Parker is serving as special prosecutor for the case.